I’m struck by the fact that we have a member in Niagara who has been advocating for and working with Niagara Health. That, of course, is the member from Niagara West.

When this member had the opportunity to vote for investments in health in the Niagara region, they chose to vote against it. When the member opposite had the opportunity, through budgets, through fall economic statements, to vote for investments in their region, they chose not to. I again will contrast that with the member from Niagara West, who from the beginning has advocated and worked with their community to make sure the Niagara region has world-class health facilities.

Last week, through investment in Infrastructure Ontario, Niagara Health was able to announce a successful bidder to ensure that the Niagara region has increased access to health care in the system. Will the member opposite vote—

You need to work with your health care partners. You need to work with your communities. The communities understand that they want a world-class facility in the Niagara region, and under Premier Ford and our government, they’re getting it.

My question is for the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. For generations, the agricultural industry has relied on the newest technology and the newest innovations to increase productivity, reduce reliance on manual labour and grow more food than ever before. Farmers across Ontario and in my riding of Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry rely on this research to grow their operations and to ensure that here at home and around the world, people can enjoy the food grown in Ontario.

It is essential that we continue to invest in the research to continue the march of progress and to support our $47-billion agri-food industry. Can the minister explain what the government is doing to support research and innovation initiatives in the agri-food sector?

Speaker, can the minister explain what exactly this renewed agreement means for Ontario’s agri-food industry?

My question is to the Premier. London is a leader, having provided a bylaw solution to the growing onslaught of graphic images delivered without consent to doorsteps by anti-abortion groups, but we need the province to address this growing problem.

Earlier this week, I tabled the Viewer Discretion Act to protect families, children and those recovering from trauma from receiving these graphic images. Will the government do the right thing and pass this bill to protect Ontarians?

To the member from Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry: I appreciate your advocacy in rural Ontario. It’s valued very much.

The question matters because, just last week, I signed a $343-million renewed Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance agreement just near Elora, at a dairy research centre. It was very important because we signed that agreement with Dr. Charlotte Yates, president of the University of Guelph, and it represents research that is going to generate action and outcomes that matter for all of Ontario’s agri-food sector. It was a great day.

Reflecting on the previous alliance agreement that we had, we have generated outcomes that have seen high immune response technology that leads to healthier cattle herds. And we’ve also seen and celebrated the Guelph Millennium asparagus. It was a brand new variety created at the University of Guelph that is incredibly popular not only in Ontario but jurisdictions around the world—

Speaker, we made a commitment in our government’s Grow Ontario Strategy to build and maintain world-class research infrastructure for our agri-food industry. We’re getting that job done, and we’re generating positive outcomes.

Speaker, through you to the Minister of Health: On April 12, I put forward a motion to maintain full emergency department and acute care services at the Welland hospital. All parties voted in favour, including the member from Niagara West, who said he was “pleased to speak in support of this motion and to reaffirm our government’s commitment to the health of the people of Niagara and the Welland hospital.”

Last month, surgeries, an on-call physician and ICU capacity were cut from the Welland hospital permanently. Were this government and the member from Niagara West telling the truth, yes or no?

The minister has not responded to my request or the request of local mayors for a meeting—didn’t even respond. The member from Niagara West has suddenly developed amnesia. Why has this government broken its word and abandoned the citizens of south Niagara in Welland, Port Colborne, Thorold, Wainfleet and Pelham?

I’m going to caution the member on his use of that expression.

I’m going to allow the Minister of Health to reply.

Supplementary?

The supplementary question?

Thank you to the member. This Premier and this government understand that it’s not protecting the environment from people and species but protecting it for. That’s why I was proud to stand alongside Anishinabek Indigenous leaders like Mel Hardy, Unifor leaders, United Steelworkers leaders and the northern Ontario municipal association, all of whom lauded this Premier and this government for getting it right when it comes to caribou.

We all have a role to play when it comes to caribou. That means working with the forestry sector on the fecal DNA project. That means working with the mining sector so that we can decarbonize in the south with electric vehicles while protecting caribou in the north. This is a team Ontario effort. We’re leaving nobody behind and that includes the great caribou in northern Ontario.

I appreciate the question from the honourable member. As I say on most private members’ business, it is in fact up to the members of the House to decide whether they approve of a bill brought forward by a member, and we’ll allow the members to make that decision on their own.

I know on this side of the House, private members’ business is handled by the members themselves. There is not a whip function for private members’ bills. Each member makes their own individual decision on private members’ business. I would suggest that that might be something that the opposition look at, as well. We have found that on our side of the House, one of the reasons we get so many private members’ bills passed is because the members are free to make a decision on each bill on its own merits.

I really want to thank the great member from Burlington for her question.

Just like we believe that people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, we think that animals should be treated with dignity and respect too. All animals, Mr. Speaker, deserve to be kept in safe conditions and live without distress and abuse.

Animal welfare is of crucial importance to our government, and that’s why, in 2019, the Ontario government passed the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, PAWS Act, to develop a robust, transparent and accountable system to protect animals. This was the first of its kind in Canada, and the PAWS Act helps ensure that animals are protected and treated in a humane manner.

I want to assure this Legislature and the people of Ontario that the PAWS Act is enforced by very dedicated provincial inspectors.

Monsieur le Président, c’est un honneur d’assurer la protection des animaux de notre province. Pour moi, c’est personnel.

My question is for the Solicitor General. For many Ontarians, the issue of animal protection and welfare is important to them and is often personal. They are concerned about the conditions in which animals are kept and are counting on our government to make sure that measures are in place to provide accountability for individuals and organizations that are responsible for the care of animals.

Abuse, neglect and cruelty to animals in any form is unacceptable. With local SPCA organizations no longer having the role of enforcing animal cruelty laws, our government must step up to ensure that the protection of animals across our province remains a priority. Speaker, can the Solicitor General please explain what actions our government is taking to address this ongoing issue?

I’d like to thank the member from Mississauga–Malton for standing with me at the bench as a guest coach, but making sure everyone understands—the team won; it had nothing to do with you or me, frankly. And I look forward to seeing you on your blades at some point down the road.

There are few things that I like more than getting into an environment where young people are doing something they love to do, and this tournament was a great example on so many levels of leadership, civility, pride, taking care of one another—it’s one of the things that team sports does. And to be a guest coach at the Little Native Hockey League tournament—the NHL from now on—became an inclusive opportunity for us to contribute to see how young people truly understand how the game is played. Coaches take care of the kids, there was no harassment of players and parents loved being there. It was an environment that will foster—and 184 teams—

The other side of is this tournament—not only was it unique in many ways, but it had an offshoot where the young people could go and look at tourism to see if this was in fact an opportunity not for a job, but for a career. It’s not about jobs, it’s about finding a career, and they did such a wonderful job at this tournament exposing these young people to opportunity on and off the ice. That’s their job. That’s one of our jobs, Mr. Speaker.

The Ontario Arts Council’s funding is being maintained during the upcoming year, so be clear on that. And if we’re going to throw numbers around, since 2018 we have invested $1.1 billion in arts and culture through the ministry programs and agencies. This includes nearly $340 million for the OAC. We are proud to support it, we’ve worked with—and about meetings: I’m glad you brought that up, because we’ve had a number of meetings with the stakeholders, and we’ve sat down and talked with them.

It’s interesting: In our conversations, Mr. Speaker, they don’t talk about what they don’t have; they talk about what they do have, and what they do have is opportunity and budgets to work with. We’re proud of the way they work and how creative they’ve become, not only in their art but in their time and what they are doing.

So I guess the member—

Again, the creativity behind the way they looked at their industry and their businesses and how they continue to develop throughout the very difficult times—as it should make all of us stronger when we come out the other side, Mr. Speaker. This is a classic example in this sector, so I’m proud of what they are doing. We will continue to meet with them.

And yet again, I will tell you, when we sat at the table, when typically we are used to having somebody say, “Where is the money?” They didn’t ask for the money. They said, “How can you help us? Because we’re going to get better,” because that’s the way they think. That’s the way we think, Mr. Speaker.

My question is to the Premier. The minister mentions that they’ve maintained funding, but inflation has eaten 14% of Ontario’s arts budget over the last four years, and this afternoon this government may be cutting $5 million in grants.

Arts contribute $27 billion to Ontario’s economy and cultural life. Quebec has raised their arts funding by 60%, because they recognize how essential the arts are. In this afternoon’s budget, will this government invest in the cultural life and economy by raising funding for the arts?

Thank you.

The supplementary question?

The supplementary question: the member for Spadina–Fort York.

My question is for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Last week, I attended an exciting hockey game with the minister at Iceland Arena in my riding of Mississauga–Malton. It was one of the 487 games played across five arenas in Mississauga over four days. Thank you to the Nipissing First Nation for organizing and thank you for choosing to host the event in Mississauga–Malton.

So 184 teams played in the first Little Native Hockey League tournament to be held in three years. This tournament is more than just a series of hockey games: It is a special event that drew over 2,000 children and teens to Mississauga from several First Nations communities.

Speaker, can the minister please describe the impact of sporting events like this to Ontario and Mississauga–Malton?

It’s encouraging news to hear about the positive effects that sporting events have on tourism and the substantive impact on economic activity. However, when I speak with the tourism operators and employers in my community, they raise concerns about the future. I hear them express worries about many jobs going unfilled—of an uncertain labour market. Tourism operators are really concerned about potential lost revenue because of the challenges they are experiencing in recruiting people into the tourism industry.

Tourism is vital to the economic well-being of our province and the industry deserves support from our government. Speaker, through you, can the minister please explain how our government is attracting prospective workers to consider employment and helping these operators?

My question is to the Premier. This Conservative government has cut arts, culture and heritage since taking office in 2018. Its impacts continue today on the lives of artists like near-middle-aged Eli, a part-time shift and gig contract worker who is forced to live with family due to financial strains, struggling to make ends meet while working below a livable wage with no pension or benefits.

Artists are workers too, Speaker. They have physical and mental health needs they cannot afford to address. And I would love if the Minister of Culture would actually take our request for a meeting.

My question is back to the Premier: Will today’s budget 2023 sustain or increase with inflation the $65-million Ontario Arts Council budget, reinstate the Indigenous Culture Fund, bolster CMOG for our museums, bolster libraries and help ensure that all Ontario artists and cultural workers can actually stay in Ontario?

It’s my honour to present this petition on behalf of Lynn Mayhew, from the families of incarcerated women and girls at the Andrew Mercer Reformatory. This petition was submitted by Lorraine Vasiliauskas. The petition reads:

“Extend Access to Post-Adoption Birth Information.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas current legislation does not provide access to post-adoption birth information (identifying information) to next of kin if an adult adopted person or a natural/birth parent is deceased;

“Whereas this barrier to accessing post-adoption birth information separates immediate family members and prohibits the children of deceased adopted people from gaining knowledge of their identity and possible Indigenous heritage;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to extend access to post-adoption birth information (identifying information) to next of kin, and/or extended next of kin, if an adult adopted person or a natural/birth parent is deceased.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature and deliver it with page Stefan to the Clerks.

Supplementary?

Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1139 to 1144.

Ms. Armstrong has moved private member’s notice of motion number 34. All those in favour will please rise and remaining standing until recognized by the Clerk.

Motion negatived.

The House recessed from 1149 to 1300.

It’s an honour to be able to rise in this House and share details about the investments in health care that are being made in Niagara, under the leadership of this Premier and this Minister of Health.

We’re seeing a new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital for the first time in our region.

We’re seeing 1.3 million square feet of new health care coming on board in the new South Niagara Hospital.

We’ve seen the doubling of the nursing program at Brock University, going from 300 to 600 new nursing students each year.

We’ve seen free tuition and expanded personal support worker supports at Niagara College, bringing many new PSWs on board.

Palliative care expansions—adding over 24 new beds to the region, going from 16 to 40 palliative care beds in Niagara region.

We’re seeing hundreds of thousands of dollars in increased supports for Pathstone’s youth mental health.

We’ve seen the new mobile health mental clinic going in through the south Niagara region as well.

We’re seeing $8 million for a new community paramedicine program, supporting seniors aging in place across the province.

We’re seeing a new youth—

Interjections.

This petition is being tabled on behalf of Lynn Mayhew, from families of incarcerated women and girls at the Andrew Mercer Reformatory, and submitted by Katie-Marie McNeill. It reads:

“Extend Access to Post-Adoption Birth Information.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas current legislation does not provide access to post-adoption birth information ... to next of kin if an adult adopted person or a natural/birth parent is deceased;

“Whereas this barrier to accessing post-adoption birth information separates immediate family members and prohibits the children of deceased adopted people from gaining knowledge of their identity and possible Indigenous heritage;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to extend access to post-adoption birth information (identifying information) to next of kin, and/or extended next of kin, if an adult adopted person or a natural/birth parent is deceased.”

I support this petition and will affix my signature to it.